Secret Diary of a Rhodian Prince

"I don't know how to grieve my own people."

Writer: Blair Mowat

Format: Audio

Released: January 2023

Series: Class Vol 5.01

Featuring: Charlie, Mateusz

Synopsis

What's it like being an alien stranded on a strange planet in the aftermath of a genocide? What would you think of Earth's culture? What's it like falling in love with a human when you only met one just the other week? Who is the Doctor?

And what happens if your secret diary falls into the wrong hands...?

Verdict

Secret Diary of a Rhodian Prince was an excellent story to comprise the fifth volume of Class on audio! It's a shame we didn't get a full boxset of releases, but this was stellar from start to finish. It was so simple in its method of basically being a diary of Charlie's experiences throughout the entire run of Class on screen and even on audio, but it was incredibly effective! Charlie is a troubled character and hearing how he developed and got to grips with the world of Earth after everything that happened to his people was excellent. I have never actually rewatched Class so my memories of a spinoff show I watched at university over eight years ago now is actually surprisingly strong! I really enjoyed getting to hear Charlie's sole perspective on settling in and anticipating his first day at Coal Hill Academy. I thought it was quite amusing to get his insight on the Doctor and he really didn't stick around for long at all did he! It's often easily forgettable the role the Twelfth Doctor had in setting things up for the story that would be told across Class, and with the way the series ended on a cliffhanger and the reveal of the Weeping Angels, I do wonder if he was ever slated to return. The relationship between Charlie and Mateusz was presented really well and I like how Charlie is surprised to learn that liking the same gender is not considered normal on Earth. I also thought it was very fun for Rhodians to refer to love as something more transactional whereas when Mateusz proclaimed it for Charlie, as far as the Prince was concerned he wished for him. I thought that was a nice touch and it's good to consider those small little differences. Charlie enjoying the freedom not being royalty afforded him was great to hear and whilst he was clearly mourning his entire people, he was actually enjoying being able to roam the streets freely. I liked the chronological way we journeyed through the television series and jumping from the likes of April having a link with the Shadow Kin to Mateusz actually moving in with him and Quill was terrific. It was a magnificent way to serve as a reminder of what actually happened and whilst I doubt any listeners wouldn't be aware of what happened in that on screen series, this was a perfect way to catch them up on the series! I really appreciated it. Touching on the relationship Charlie had with Miss Quill was good stuff and I liked Mateusz's reaction to finding out the pair lived together. Charlie being labelled fart boy is a little childish for an Academy and just a felt bit kiddish for a more young adult-oriented series, but thankfully it didn't last long. Charlie almost feeling a little jealous of Ram for being popular despite not being the most intelligent student was fun and I also liked how he felt a bit sorry for Tanya in how she was vilified for being knowledgable purely because she had been moved up an age group. Touching upon the finale that was The Lost was sensational and I loved getting a glimpse of beyond the television series! That was outstanding and a real surprise. Hearing the voice of the Chair as he read Charlie's diary was incredible stuff and hearing the Governers in conversation with the Angels was so exciting. Surely, one day, there has to be a continuation of the series? It's quite clearly never coming back on television so I don't understand why this cannot happen on audio! I'd like to think that the little hint here is confirmation and that we just have to bide our time. I certainly hope that's the case. Overall, a really excellent adventure! 

Rating: 9/10